Who are you, and what do you like to learn about? (academically, professionally, and/or personally)
I am a Manager in Learning & Development at a large real estate investment trust, focusing primarily on the design and development of e-learning. I am passionate about using immersive technology to educate, and I am currently finishing up my M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology from George Mason University. I love learning about all things technology, and thinking about how to utilize new advancements to further my instructional design skillset.
What hardware do you use to learn? (Eg. smart phone, tablet, laptop, desktop)
Primarily, I use my laptop, but I will also use my iPhone and iPad when I’m on the go.
What software do you use to learn? (Eg. search engines, mobile apps, social networks, eBooks, digital libraries, wikis, blogs, videos, podcasts)
I find myself mostly using Google as a sort of self-directed learning tool. I also often watch YouTube videos, read blogs and support forums, and use Lynda.com fairly regularly.
What digital tools do you wish you had access to for learning? (Eg. any graphic organizers, mind-mapping tools, resource management tools, progress tracking tools, design tools, etc.) Why?
I honestly don’t feel like there are any additional tools I want for the purpose of learning. I am fortunate that my organization is willing to pay for me to take advantage of a number of online resources, and I definitely take advantage of that as much as possible.
What might your ideal Personal Learning Environment (PLE) look like?
My ideal PLE is definitely something that leans heavily on technology. I like the idea of short and sweet content, which is accessible on the go. I also want something clean and easy to use, since an un-intuitive UI tends to get in the way of the learning. But no matter what, I want something that makes learning fun that I can do at my own pace!
